What should I ask an alcohol coach before signing up?

The most important questions cover whether the coach screens for physical dependence before recommending changes, whether they explain withdrawal risks for heavy drinkers, whether they offer both moderation and abstinence as outcomes, what evidence informs their approach, and whether they hold professional indemnity insurance. Coaching is unregulated, so due diligence is essential.

Is alcohol coaching regulated in the UK?

No. Coaching is an unregulated industry in the UK. Anyone can present themselves as an alcohol coach without formal qualifications, relevant experience, or professional insurance. This makes asking the right questions before committing to any programme essential for protecting your health and your money.

Can an alcohol coach help me if I am physically dependent on alcohol?

No responsible alcohol coach should work with someone who is physically dependent without first directing them to medical support. Physical dependence on alcohol requires medical supervision before any changes are made. Abrupt cessation without proper assessment can cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms. If you are concerned about dependence, speak to your GP or contact WithYou at wearewithyou.org.uk for free confidential support.

Should an alcohol coach offer both moderation and abstinence?

Yes. A responsible coach follows the evidence and the individual, not a default position. Around 75% of people drinking above low-risk guidelines are not dependent and research shows that moderation and abstinence achieve comparable outcomes for this group. The right path belongs to the individual, not the coach's preferred methodology.

What happens if I struggle or slip during an alcohol coaching programme?

Setbacks are a normal part of behaviour change. A well-designed programme treats them as data rather than failure. Ask your coach before you start how they handle difficult days and unplanned slips. A structured response to setbacks is a sign of a methodology built on science rather than willpower.

10 questions to ask any coach before you cut back or cut out alcohol

Coaching is an unregulated industry. After 30 years in the wine trade and three years as an alcohol moderation coach, here are the ten questions worth asking before you commit your time, money, and health to any programme.

1. Do you screen for physical dependence before recommending that someone stop drinking?

This is the question most people never think to ask, and the one that matters most. Physical dependence on alcohol is a medical condition. Abrupt cessation without proper screening can trigger withdrawal symptoms ranging from severe anxiety and tremors to, in serious cases, seizures or delirium tremens (DTs). A coach who skips this step isn’t being bold, they’re being reckless.

2. Do you explain the medical risks of stopping alcohol suddenly for heavy drinkers?

For most people, stopping or cutting back is straightforward. For someone drinking heavily and consistently, stopping suddenly carries genuine clinical risk. Any coach recommending abrupt cessation without covering this isn’t protecting you. They may simply not know enough to do so.

3. Are you qualified to advise on alcohol withdrawal, or do you refer clients to medical professionals?

Coaching and medical advice are not the same thing. A good coach knows where their competence ends. If yours hasn’t mentioned withdrawal risk, hasn’t asked about your intake history, and hasn’t pointed you towards a GP or specialist where appropriate, that’s a gap worth questioning.

4. Do you offer both moderation and abstinence as potential outcomes?

A good coach follows the evidence, not a default position. A coach who dismisses either path without clinical justification isn’t tailoring their advice to you. They’re fitting you to their methodology.

5. What evidence informs your recommended approach?

Whether a coach recommends a structured programme, a period of abstinence, or a moderation strategy, the approach should be grounded in evidence rather than personal conviction or trend. Asking this question separates coaches who’ve thought carefully about what they’re recommending from those who are following a formula.

6. How do you decide which approach is appropriate for an individual client?

A responsible coach starts with assessment, not assumption. Drinking patterns, history, triggers, lifestyle and context should all inform the recommendation. If the approach is decided before that conversation has happened, it is not personalised guidance. It is a template looking for a customer, and in an unregulated industry, that is more common than you might expect.

7. What happens if someone struggles or slips during the process?

Setbacks are a normal part of behaviour change. The research is clear on that. What matters is how a coach responds to them. A structured approach to navigating difficult days and unplanned slips is a sign of a methodology built on science rather than willpower.

8. What experience or background informs your advice on alcohol use?

Coaching is an unregulated industry. Anyone can present themselves as an authority on alcohol use without formal training, relevant experience, or an evidence base. This question isn’t impolite. It’s essential. Understanding what sits behind the advice helps you judge how much weight to give it.

9. Are you professionally insured?

Coaching is unregulated, which means there is no legal requirement to hold professional indemnity, public liability, or medical malpractice insurance. Ask anyway. A coach working without it is either not serious about their practice or cannot obtain cover. Neither is reassuring when you are trusting someone with your health.

10. What happens after the initial programme or challenge ends?

The programme ends. Then what? Lasting change requires understanding why the pattern developed in the first place, not just interrupting it temporarily. If your coach hasn’t addressed what comes after, the work stops when the clock does.

Read how I answer these questions myself.

If anything in this article has raised concerns about your own drinking, you can use our Am I Drinking Too Much? page as a starting point. If you are unsure where you sit, it is worth speaking to your GP. You can also contact WithYou for free, confidential support. The BAC System™ is designed for non-dependent drinkers. If you are unsure whether that describes you, please seek medical advice before making any changes.

About the author:

32-year wine trade veteran
Founder, Alcohol Moderation Coaches Association™
Member ADHD Coaches Organization
Trained coach in alcohol moderation, ADHD and behavioural science
CPD Approved Provider